Integrating social determinants of health principles into the preclinical medical curriculum via student-led pedagogical modalities
Abstract Background Dismantling structural inequities in health care requires that physicians understand the impacts of social determinants of health (SDH). Although many medical schools incorporate SDH education, integration of these principles into the preclinical curriculum remains challenging. M...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04152-0 |
| _version_ | 1797849951050399744 |
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| author | Krisandra Kneer Erik Zhang Tyler Harkness Timothy Lahey Karen M. Lounsbury |
| author_facet | Krisandra Kneer Erik Zhang Tyler Harkness Timothy Lahey Karen M. Lounsbury |
| author_sort | Krisandra Kneer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Dismantling structural inequities in health care requires that physicians understand the impacts of social determinants of health (SDH). Although many medical schools incorporate SDH education, integration of these principles into the preclinical curriculum remains challenging. Methods Students and faculty at the University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine developed the Social Medicine Theme of the Week (SMTW), a peer-teaching approach to integrating SDH topics across the preclinical curriculum as part of a broader social medicine curriculum. Students created objectives to link SDH-related topics to the weekly curriculum and presented them to the class. Student innovation led to the incorporation of creative online infographics that were published in the curriculum calendar. First year medical students and faculty members were surveyed to assess preferences and educational impact of the SMTW announcements with accompanying infographics. Results Of the 40 student respondents, 77.5% reported that their knowledge of SDH had improved due to the SMTW. Most students (82.5%) preferred the infographic modality over traditional teaching modalities. Faculty respondents reported limited engagement with the SMTW and, although they supported the need for these objectives, many (61%) found it difficult to integrate SDH content into their class materials. Conclusion Student-led infographics are a popular method of integrating SDH content in the preclinical curriculum that can be optimized through faculty orientation and support. Success for this type of instruction requires opportunities for student developers, integration and formal assessment of objectives, faculty engagement and training, and institutional support for creating and delivering a robust social medicine curriculum. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T18:53:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-27dd2063c50d4be19f4b0173b745171a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T18:53:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-27dd2063c50d4be19f4b0173b745171a2023-04-09T11:19:32ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202023-04-012311910.1186/s12909-023-04152-0Integrating social determinants of health principles into the preclinical medical curriculum via student-led pedagogical modalitiesKrisandra Kneer0Erik Zhang1Tyler Harkness2Timothy Lahey3Karen M. Lounsbury4Class of 2025, Larner College of Medicine, University of VermontClass of 2024, Larner College of Medicine, University of VermontClass of 2024, Larner College of Medicine, University of VermontDepartments of Medicine/Ethics, Larner College of Medicine, University of VermontDepartment of Pharmacology/Office of Medical Education, Larner College of Medicine, University of VermontAbstract Background Dismantling structural inequities in health care requires that physicians understand the impacts of social determinants of health (SDH). Although many medical schools incorporate SDH education, integration of these principles into the preclinical curriculum remains challenging. Methods Students and faculty at the University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine developed the Social Medicine Theme of the Week (SMTW), a peer-teaching approach to integrating SDH topics across the preclinical curriculum as part of a broader social medicine curriculum. Students created objectives to link SDH-related topics to the weekly curriculum and presented them to the class. Student innovation led to the incorporation of creative online infographics that were published in the curriculum calendar. First year medical students and faculty members were surveyed to assess preferences and educational impact of the SMTW announcements with accompanying infographics. Results Of the 40 student respondents, 77.5% reported that their knowledge of SDH had improved due to the SMTW. Most students (82.5%) preferred the infographic modality over traditional teaching modalities. Faculty respondents reported limited engagement with the SMTW and, although they supported the need for these objectives, many (61%) found it difficult to integrate SDH content into their class materials. Conclusion Student-led infographics are a popular method of integrating SDH content in the preclinical curriculum that can be optimized through faculty orientation and support. Success for this type of instruction requires opportunities for student developers, integration and formal assessment of objectives, faculty engagement and training, and institutional support for creating and delivering a robust social medicine curriculum.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04152-0Social determinants of healthSocial medicine curriculumSocial medicine theme of the weekInfographicStudent-drivenPeer teaching |
| spellingShingle | Krisandra Kneer Erik Zhang Tyler Harkness Timothy Lahey Karen M. Lounsbury Integrating social determinants of health principles into the preclinical medical curriculum via student-led pedagogical modalities BMC Medical Education Social determinants of health Social medicine curriculum Social medicine theme of the week Infographic Student-driven Peer teaching |
| title | Integrating social determinants of health principles into the preclinical medical curriculum via student-led pedagogical modalities |
| title_full | Integrating social determinants of health principles into the preclinical medical curriculum via student-led pedagogical modalities |
| title_fullStr | Integrating social determinants of health principles into the preclinical medical curriculum via student-led pedagogical modalities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating social determinants of health principles into the preclinical medical curriculum via student-led pedagogical modalities |
| title_short | Integrating social determinants of health principles into the preclinical medical curriculum via student-led pedagogical modalities |
| title_sort | integrating social determinants of health principles into the preclinical medical curriculum via student led pedagogical modalities |
| topic | Social determinants of health Social medicine curriculum Social medicine theme of the week Infographic Student-driven Peer teaching |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04152-0 |
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